Turandot-opera reviewDecember 11, 2017

Like his LaBoheme and Tosca, Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot, soars on the Italian composer’s spine-tingling melodies. Evoking the Oriental fantasy world of Madame Butterfly, the opera stands out with beguiling charm in a vibrant new-to-Chicago production at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Indeed, Turandot features a cornucopia of intrigue and emotion, which has torn at the human fabric from time immemorial. No matter how many years have gone by since Puccini...To read more, click here.

The Nutcracker-reviewDecember 4, 2017

The Nutcracker ballet extravaganza returns for a second year in an even better, more sensational production. The re-invented classic is more polished, more sensational, and even more thrilling than before. The spectacular is set against the 1893 Columbian Exposition--built to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America by Columbus. That Word Fair featured industrial and scientific innovations, and served to show everyone that Chicago had risen from the ashes of the Great...To read more, click here.

A Wonderful Life-theater reviewNovember 25, 2017

This is the time of year when a cornucopia of feel-good Christmas shows take center stage all over Chicagoland. But the best, most inspirational, most fabulous show of this season is A Wonderful Life at Theatre at the Center in Munster, Indiana. This production is not only delightfully entertaining, but it also offers a nostalgic appeal for those who miss small-town America values.With its timeless story—about giving up on dreams; of living a life one believes is ordinary that is anything but; of choosing to do the...To read more, click here.

Wild Encounters-David Yarrow ExhibitNovember 15, 2017

For the last thirty years David Yarrow has traveled from remote landscapes throughout continents of the world—to Arctic tundras, deserts, rain forests, jungles, and to out-of-the-way villages—to capture breathtaking images of African lions, Bengal tigers, polar bears, Silverback Gorillas, rhinos, giraffes, wolves, as well as vivid photos of native cultures in exotic environs. Now Yarrow’s solo exhibit, titled Wild Encounters, showcases his most dazzling images for the first time at the..To read more, click here.

A People's Tragedy-book reviewThe Russian RevolutionNovember 9, 2017

Yes, A People’s Tragedy is a history book, but what a history book.Awesome in its dramatic power, it is so fascinating, so compelling, I couldn’t put it down. Indeed, it reads more like a mystery thriller than a comprehensive historical narrative. A soul-stirring sweep, not only of a particular time and a particular place in history, but it offers the kind of philosophical analysis that is rare today. While there are some who have compared the direction in which Western Civilization is...To read more, click here.

Paris SkullduggeryOctober 30, 2017

As I continued, I became more curious and more daring. What would centuries-old bones feel like, I wondered? I put my hand out and touched one of the skulls. It felt like cold stone. I quickly pulled my hand back, and kept walking. I stopped and pulled out a brochure from my jacket. I had bought it in advance of my Catacombs' exploration, and now thought it might come in handy. I began reading about the history of Paris and its location over large quantities of limestone. The bodily remains...To read more, click here.

The Perks of VictimhoodOctober 23, 2017

Being a victim offers a great life.You don’t have to take responsibility for anything; nothing is your fault; and you can feel good knowing that everything that’s wrong in your life can be blamed on someone else. Your need is a blank check on others.The reason for other people’s existence is to make sure your needs and wants are met. Another wonderful perk of victimhood is that you can always feel morally superior to...To read more, click here.

Surreal Spain: On the Trail of Salvador DaliAugust 9, 2017

It’s a scenic little fishing village of sun-drenched, whitewashed houses tucked into hills and clustered around a picturesque postcard waterfront. The Mediterranean beauty of this town—unspoiled by big-bus tourism because of its fragile one-way ribbon road that is the only way into the town—is one reason for wanting to visit. But there’s another, still more important reason to visit Cadaques, Spain. The town was the stomping grounds of artist Salvador Dali, who lived in the area and painted it in many...To read more, click here.